Ironing machine



Nov. 11, 1930. Q SWQBQDA 1,781,482

IRONING IACHINE Filed March 31, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 11, 1930. H.o. SWOBQDA 1,781,482

IRONING MACHINE Filed flax-ch31, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Z4 AMNov. 11, 1930. H. o. SWOBODA 1110mm momma Filed llrch 31, 1927 3Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN OR Patented Nov. 1 1, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFK.

HANS O. SWOIBODA, OF EDGEWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO B. O. SWOBODA,INO., OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA IRONING MACHINE Application filed March 31, 1927. Serial No. 179,861.

This invention relates to ironing machines and more particularly toironing machines especially designed for domestic purposes, and isprimarily for an automatic release for the ironing shoe. It relatesfurther to means for providing both automatic engagement anddisengagement of the ironing elements.

Domestic ironing machines are ordinarily provided with a padded roll anda concave shoe. The shoe is provided with heating means. Either the shoeor the roll is movable with respect to the other member. In most typesof machines, the shoe is moved toward and away from the roll.

In some types of machines the shoe is moved toward and away from theroll by some kind of mechanical power-actuated means so that the oerator is not required to use any considera le amount of strength inworking the machine. Such machines have the disadvantage that when,during the operation of the machine, the power fails, on account ofwhich the motor stops, or the shoe becomes overheated, the clothes andthe padding on the roll are apt to be burned.

In order to prevent this, it is necessary to provide means to eiiect aquick separation of the ironing elements.

In machines of this type where the ironing elements are moved,-one withrespect to the other by mechanical power, there is provided a specialdevice adapted to be manually operated for separating the elements. Sucha release mechanism is shown, for instance, in the patent of Richards,1,771,818, granted July 29, 1930.

According to the present invention, there is provided a mechanism forquickly and automatically separating the ironing elements in the eventof the shoe becoming overheated or in the event of the supply of currentbeing cut ofi' or failing.

The invention may be readily understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate certain embodiments of my invention, in whichFigure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the present invention applied toa type of ironer wherein the shoe is movable with respect to the roll,and showing the shoe in contact with the roll;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showm the position of the partsupon re-' lease 0 the holding means;

Figure 3 is a detail view of a portion of an ironing machine of the typedisclosed in the said Richards patent, having my invention appliedthereto;

Figure 4 is aiview similar to Figure 3 of the mechanism at one end ofthe ironing roll wherein the usual pedal is eliminated and the operationof the ironer for engagement as well as disengagement of the ironingelements, is controlled entirely by a single electric switch; and

Figure 5 is a detail view representing a section in substantially theplane of V--V of Figure 4.

The nature of the invention may be best understood by reference to thediagrams in Figures 1 and 2. In these figures, 1 designates an ironingroll, 2 is the ironing shoe and 3 is a disk at the end of the ironingroll and movable independently with respect thereto. The ironing shoe 2is supported on the vertical arm 4 of a bell crank lever pivot-allsecured to the stationary structure at 5. T e horizontal arm 6 of thisbell crank lever has its outer end pivotally connected at 7 to one endof a telescoping link 8. The other end of the telescoping link ispivotally connected to a crank 9 on the disk 3. A compression spring 10is interposed between abutmen'ts 11 at opposite ends of the telescopinglink. The tendency of the spring 10 is to spread the link.

The disk 3 is provided with a notch 12 in the periphery thereof. At 13is a locking pin, one end of which is preferably larger than the otherand is adapted to be projected into the notch 12 to normally hold thedisk 3 against rotation. A tension spring 14 is connected with thelarger end of the bolt and tends to pull the locking pin out ofengagement with the notch in the disk 3. Surrounding theclocking pin 13,the larger end of which serves as a core, orotherwise suitablyassociated therewith, is an electromagnetic means such as a solenoid 15for opposing the spring 14. The solenoid is adapted to be energizedthrough wires 16 and 17 connecting with service wires 18, from whichlead Wires 18 that supply current to the motor 18 for operating theironing machine. In the wire 17 is shown a thermostat 19. In practice,the thermostat 19 would be located in the ironing shoe 2 so as to causethe circuit to open when the shoe reaches a predetermined temperature.

The arrangement is such that when current is supplied to the motor fordriving the ironing machine'through th service wires 18, the solenoid issimultaneously energized, tending to move the locking pin 13 whichserves as a core, toward the disk3 against the-tension of the spring 14.At such time, the parts are in the position shown in Figure 2. As soonas the motor is energized, the roll 1 starts to revolve, and through anautomatic clutch arrangement not shown in Figures 1 and 2, buthereinafter more fully referred to, the disk 3 is also rotated. Therotation of the disk 3 tends to collapse the telescoping link 8 andcompress the spring 10. When the notch 12 has moved opposite the end ofthe locking pin 13, the pin will engage in the notch and the disk 3 beheld against rotation. The clutch mechanism is such that when the disk 3has been rotated the necessary distance, the disk will be operativelydisengaged from the roll 1, and the roll will continue to revolve in theusual manner. As long as the locking pin is engaged in the slot 12 thedisk 3 is prevented from rotating, and the spring 10 is held undercompression to yieldably urge the ironing shoe 2 against the roll 1.Should the current supplied through the lines 18 be cut off or shouldthe thermostat 19 open, the solenoid 15 would be instantaneouslydeenergized and the spring 14 would pull'the end of the locking pin outof engagement with the notch 12. The spring 10 would immediately expandto rotate the disk 3 in a clockwise direction, and at the same time, theshoe 2 moves by gravity out of engagement with the ironing roll. Theparts would then be back in the position shown in Figure 2;

In this manner the shoe is instantaneously and automatically moved outof engagement with the roll when the current to the driving motor failsor is cut off, thereby preventing the shoe from scorching the roll. Inthe same way the shoe is prevented from scorching the roll by athermostat in the event of its becoming too highly heated.

At 20 there is designated a fixed stop for cooperation with a stopmember 21 on the locking pin 13 whereby the movement of the locking pinis limited;

The arrangement shown in Figure 3 illustrates one manner in which theinvention is applied directly to one form of ironer. In this view, thegeneral arrangement is similar to that shown in the said patent ofRichards.

tened to said roll shaft 29. Mounted to turn with the wheel is onemember 31 of a clutch. Slidable on the shaft 29, into and out ofengagement with the member 31, is a clutch disk 32. This disk isoperatively connected with the disk 26. At 33 is a yoke or feather formoving the disk 32 into and out of driving engagement with-the member31. A spring 34 cooperates with the feather 33 for urging the diskmember 32 to inoperative position. The member 33 is in the form of abell crank pivotally supported to the frame at 36. The horizontal arm 37of this bell crank is connected through a lost motion connection 38 toan operating rod 39 which is connected to a control pedal 40. On the rod39 is a collar 41, which engages the top of a compression spring 42. Theother end of the compression spring bears against the end of a switchoperating lever 43, pivotally supported at 44. This lever is adapted toengage the push button of an electric. switch 46 of the well known typewherein successive operation of "the push button .alternately .opens andcloses the switch. The switch 46 controls the flow of current from theservice line 47 to the motor indicated diagrammatically at 48, as wellas thermostat and electro-magnets 52.

The general construction of the ironer is similar to that described inthe said Richards patent. According to the present invention,

there is associated with this mechanism, an

automatic release of the nature shown in Figures 1 and 2. This mechanismincludes a reciprocable latch pin 49, one end of which is adapted toengage in a notch 50 in the disk 26. On the other end of the rod 49 isan armature 51. At 52 are magnet coils for effecting movement of thearmature to latching position. The movement of the armature to latchingposition is opposed by a compression spring 53. The electromagnets 52are energized through wires 54 connecting to the wires' which supplycurrent to the motor. In one of the wires 54 may be a thermostat 55 foropening the circuit to the magnets when the shoe reaches a predeterminedtemperature. I

In Figure 3 the latch 49 is shown in engagement with the disk 26 atwhich time the ironing shoe, not shown, would be pressed against theironing roll, as will be understood from Figures 1 and 2. Should theswitch 46 be operated or should the current supply fail, the magnets 52would be instantaneously deenergized and the spring 53 would move thearmature away from the magnets 52, thereby moving the terminal of thepin 49 out of engagement with the notch in the disk 26. The spring 28would thereupon function to rotate the disk 26 and simultaneously movethe ironing shoe out of engagement with the cylinder, as explained inconnection with Figures 1 and 2. In like manner, if the thermostatshould open the circuit to the coils 52, the latch mechanism wouldrelease, whereby the shoe would be moved out of engagement with theroll.

In starting the machine, the pedal 40 is depressed, pulling down on therod 39, rocking the switch actuating lever 43 to operate the switch 46.This starts the motor 48 and also energizes the magnets 52. The movementof the armature is prevented at this time by reason of the fact that theend of the locking pin 49 is hearing against the surface of the disk. Assoon as the switch 46 is operated the motor 48 starts to drive the roll25. Upon further downward movement of the pedal 40, the lost motion inthe connection 38 is taken up and the clutch operating lever 33 is movedto the left, as viewed in Figure 3. thereby bringing the clutch member32 into driving relation with the revolving member 31. When the disk 26has been rotated to fully compress the spring 28, the notch 50 has beenbrought opposite the end of the locking pin 49 and the end of this pinsnaps into the socket 50 to hold the disk 26 against reverse rotation.The spring 34 causes the clutch to disengage after the disk 26 has beenrotated the necessary predetermined distance. This can be controlled inany suitable way, as described in said Richards patent.

The arrangement shown in Figures 4 and 5 which are more or lessdiagrammatic, is one wherein the pedal is dispensed with and the entireoperation controlled by the movement of a single electric switch. Inthis construction, designates the ironing roll, 61 is the'gear throughwhich the roll is driven and 62 is the crank disk rigidly carried at theouter end of the roll shaft 64. The disk 62 corresponds in function tothe disk 26 of the machine shown in Figure 3 and the disk 3 of thediagram in Figures 1 and 2. Interposed between the disk 62 and the gear61 is a clutch 65, by means of which motion may be transmitted from thegear 61 to the disk 62. The clutch 65 is operated by a shifting lever 66pivotally supported at 67 and having a horizontally extending crank armthereon. On the crank arm 68 is an armature 69 for cooperation with anelectromagnet 70. Bearing against the lever 66, to act in opposition.tothe magnet 70, is a compression spring 71. On the lever 66 is a pin 72adapted to project into a socket 73 in the disk 62 to hold the diskagainst reverse rotation,

as hereinbefore described. On the disk 62 is a crank pin 74 to which theupper end of the telescoping link 75 is connected. The clutch 65 is ofspecial construction which can be released in a certain predeterminedposition only, whereby the clutch can disengage only at the instant thatthe pin 72 is opposite the socket 73. This particular clutchconstruction forms no part of the present invention and furtherdescription thereof is not deemed necessary. At 76 is the compressionspring corresponding to the spring 10, of Figures 1 and 2, through whichthe ironing shoe is yieldably held against the roll. The roll 60 isdriven through the gear 61 by means of an electric motordiagrammatically illustrated at 77. This motor is supplied with currentthrough wires 78. At 7 9 is a switch for controlling the operation ofthe motor. On the periphery of the disk 62 and extending only part waythereabout, is a contact strip 79. At 80 and 81 are brushes located sideby side. Both of these brushes are adapted to bear against the strip 79.The brushes 80 and 81 are in series with the electromagnet 70, and theelectromagnet is connected to the wires 78 which supply current to themotor through wires 82.

A thermostat 83, designed to be located in the ironing shoe, anddiagrammatically indicated in Figure 4, is connected in series withtheelectromagnet 7 0 through wires 84, so as to make and break thecircuit through the magnet according to temperature conditions in theshoe.

When the parts are in the position shown in Figure 4, which is thenormal operating position. the spring 76 is compressed and the disk 62is locked against rotation by the pin 72 on the lever 66. In the eventof the circuit through the wires 82 being broken, the magnet will beimmediately deenergized, whereu on the spring 71 will move the lever 66to dlsengage the pin 7 2 from the notch 73 and move the clutch 65 intooperative position. Immediately upon the release of the disk 62, it willbe rotated through an are by the spring 76. Then it has moved its limit,the brushes 80 and 81 will not contact with the strip 7 9, inasmuch asthis strip does not extend entirely around the disk 62.

Starting with the parts in released position, the switch 79 is closedwhereupon the circuit to the motor 77 is made and the motor starts torevolve the cylinder 60 through the gear 61. In view of the fact thatthe circuit from the brush 80 to the brush 81 is not completed at thistime, the magnet 70 is not immediately energized. When the roll 1 startsto revolve, the clutch 65 is in operative position so that the disk 62is also rotated. After the disk 62 has rotated a predetermined distance,the contact strip 79 closes the circuit between the brushes 80 and 81,whereupon the electromagnet 70 is energized. When the magnet isenergized the armature 69 is attracted and the clutch 65 urged to moveto inoperative position. When the arm 66 is permitted to move to shiftthe clutch, the pin 72 will be projected into the notch 7 3 to againlock the disk 62 against continued rotation. In this way the shoe willbe held against the roll as long as the magnet 70 is energized,

but when the current supplied to the machine is broken or fails, theshoe will be moved out of engagement with the roll by the release of pin72 from notch 73. The opening of the thermostatic switch 83 functions toopen the circuit to the magnet 70.

The automatic release provided by the present invention will positivelyprevent the burning of clothes and the padding on the ironing roll incase of an overheated shoe or where the current supplied to the machineis cut ofi'. This automatic release therefore. not only prevents injuryto clothes being ironed or to the machine, but eliminates a fire hazard.It can be added with very little cost to the ironer and its operation issimple and positive.

While I have illustrated certain preferred embodiments of my invention,it will be understood that the invention is not restricted to theparticular construction shown, but that it may be otherwise embodiedwith various types of ironing machines wherein one of the ironingelements is movable toward and away from the other. Various changes andmodifications may be otherwise made within the spirit of my inventionand under the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 5

1. In an ironing machine having a roll element and a shoe element, oneof which is movable into and out of engagement with the other, anelectric motor for effecting such movement, and electrically operatedmeans and an electric circuit therefor for normally holding the elementsin cooperative engagement so long as said circuit is energized;

2. In an ironing machine having a roll element and a shoe element, oneof which is movable into and out of engagement with the other, anelectric motor and circuit therefor for operating the machine andeffecting movement of said, movable member into engagement with theother member, an operating connection between the motor and said movablemember, and means in circuit with the motorfor holding the elements incooperative relation only so long as the circuit including said means isenergized.

3. In an ironing machine having a roll element and a shoe element, amotor for driving the roll, means operable upon energization of themotor for moving the elements into cooperative relation, a holding meansfor holding the elements in cooperative relation, electromagnetic meansfor holding the holding means in operative position, a circuit common tosaid motor and electromagnet Whereby the electromagnet is energized onlywhen the electric circuit is energized, and means ing latch means forholding the elements in engagement with each other, an electro-magnetfor holding the latch means against release, said magnet and said motorbeing included in a common circuit whereby the breaking of the commoncircuit will simultaneously deenergize the motor and deenergize themagnet to permit the latch to release.

5. In an ironing machine, a roll, a motor for driving the roll, a shoe,means including a clutch for moving the shoe into engagement with theroll, electromagnetic means for rendering the clutch inoperative, meansassociated with said electromagnetic means for holding the shoeengagement with the roll when the clutch has been moved to inoperativeposition, said electromagnetic means and the motor for driving the rollbeing in a common circuit whereby the opening of the circuit willsimultaneously deenergize the motor and the electro-magnetic means.

6. The combination with an ironing machine having a roll and a shoemovable into and out of engagement with the roll, a means including aclutch and acrank for moving the shoe into engagement with the roll uponro tation of the roll, and a motor for driving the roll, of anelectromagnet, a clutch operating means actuated by the electromagnetfor urging the clutch to inoperative position upon energization of themagnet, a locking pin associated with the clutch operating means forholding the crank against operation when the clutch is moved toinoperative position, said motor and electro-magnet being in a commoncircuit, and means'for moving the clutch operating means in the reversedirection upon deenergization of the magnet to bring the clutch intooperative position and render said locking pin ineffective.

7. The combination with an ironing machine having a roll member and ashoe member, the shoe member of which is movable toward and away fromthe roll member, a motor for driving the roll member,'means including aclutch driven by the motor for efiecting movement of the shoe membertoward the roll member, means. for holding the shoe member against theroll member, and an electromagnetic means for controlling the operationof said clutch and said holding means.

3. The combination with an ironing machine having a roll member and ashoe member, the shoe member being movable toward.

and away from the roll member and having a motor for operating the rollmember, of an electromagnetic means controlling movement of the shoetoward the roll member when the member away from the roll member whenthe motor is de-energized, and a thermostat associated with the shoe incircuit with said electromagnetic means for de-energizing the same whenthe temperature of the shoe reaches a predetermined point.

10. In an ironing machine having a roll element and a shoe element oneof which is movable into and out of contact with the other, an electricmotor for effecting such movement, a branch motor circuit, a supplycircuit for said branch circuit, means for normally holding the elementsin contact, and electric means controlled by said'supply circuit foroperating the holding means.

1 1.1. In an ironing'machine having a roll element and a shoe-element,means for moving one of the elements into and out of engagement with theother, said means includmg a motor, a locking means for holding the shoeand roll in cooperative relation, an electro-magnet for holding thelocking means in operative position, means for moving the locking meansto inoperative position, and a common control for said motor and saidelectro -magnet. J

12. The combination with an ironing machine having a roll element and ashoe element, of electric roll rotating means efiective for rotating theroll and for moving the roll element and shoe element into cooperativeengagement, and electric means other than said roll rotating means forretaining the shoe element and roll element in cooperative engagement,and a circuit common to said roll rotating means and said electricretaining means whereby the electric retaining means is energized onlywhen the circuit for the roll rotating means is energized.

13. The combination with an ironing machine having a roll element and ashoe element, of electric roll rotating means efiective for rotating theroll and for. moving the roll element and shoe element into cooperativeengagement, and electric means other than said roll rotating means forretaining the shoe element and roll element in cooperative engagement, acircuit common to said roll rotating means and said electric retainingmeans whereby the electric retaining means is energized only when theroll rotating means is energized, and a thermostat in circuit wlthsaidelectric means and adapted to open the circuit to said retainingmeans, said thermostat being in heat receiving relation to the shoeelement and responsive to temperature conditions therein.

In testimonywhereof I have hereunto set in hand.

y HANS O. SWOBODA.

